iii. Letter from Sir Charles Cornwallis, 1605
(B.M. Harl. 1875 ff. 217–19)
727. Sir Charles Cornwallis, in Valladolid, to Mr. Thomas Wilford, president of the Spanish Company. (fn. 1)
Sir, my purpose in staying Owsley here grew never out of any desire I had
to serve myself of him for any business concerning my own employment,
having brought with me one very able and sufficient for that purpose. But
finding that his majesty's subjects that trade hither, had and were likely to
find here at the first settling of the intercourse many difficulties and questions, and Owsley well experienced in the country and not ignorant of the
course of traffic, I was willing for my better enabling to do them a service
in such businesses as should occur to procure his stay here and to charge
myself with him and a man to attend him, only to follow their occasions.
728. I have accordingly employed him in many of those general negotiations
that have touched the traffic here; I have at my charge sent him divers
times to the court when it has been many miles distant from this town, and
there continued him for divers days whereby I obtained what was desired
in sundry things very beneficial and an answer to the rest.
729. I expected a more liberal performance towards him for his travails
because in your letters to me you promised it, I looked for a more kind
acceptance of my own industries for you because it was more than I owed
you, for in so long a time as I have been here until now very lately, neither
was I required nor instructed nor so much as saluted by any of you; what
I have done for you and what I have endeavoured appears in such papers
as in September last I addressed to the lords of the council and yourself
by letters from Owsley have also had understanding of them.
730. In your late letter to him you wrote that you marvel I would take
upon me to bestow the office of consulship by naming and appointing
whereof were granted by his majesty to you of the company. If you would
name anyone to whom I had made grant of any such office without exception of your allowance when you should be made a company, you might
build your marvel upon some foundation; if in the meantime I gave allowance to one of Lisbon who had exercised the place before and was recommended to me by at least twenty of the best traders then residing in that
city, by your favour it is not so much to be wondered at, as that you, having
so long time past obtained his majesty's grant, have not until now very
lately made it known to me, or any other here to my knowledge, that your
company was established, neither sent hither any writings conducing to the
obtaining of the king here the confirmation of your privileges nor given
any order to any of your traders or factors to hold correspondence with
one for any advertisements, as I know by some of the lords of the council
you were directed, neither yet taken or sent any order hither for making of
consuls or any officers that might here set orders or give directions to the
traders. (fn. 2)
731. My charge and my duty it is when I came hither to protect you as
subjects to the king I serve, and mine own desire is to do any service
within my power to you all, in regard you are my countrymen, and men of
worth who understand what appertains to wise and civil courses.
732. But I must, as well in regard of my place as of your own good, desire
you will hereafter show more care of what concerns you than hitherto I
have been made acquainted with, and so with my very hearty commendations to yourself and the rest of the company I leave you.